Travel & Tourism

Alport Castles – The incredible Peak District lakeside walk with a jaw-dropping spectacle on the route 

We bring you *drama*, with the help of our brilliant pal GetLostMCR

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 26th November 2023

There’s no end of impressive sights to be found around Greater Manchester, whether you’re into ravines that look like Lord of the Rings settings or incredible skyscrapers that tower over the city centre. 

But there’s one particular hike in the Peak District that’s so impressive it will take your breath away (and we don’t just mean from the effort of walking uphill). 

The Alport Castles walk takes in everything from geological formations to massive lakes to manmade structures.

One of which is the Derwent Dam, a massive structure that towers 34m overhead and is flanked by twin Victorian-Gothic towers at either end. 

If you catch it when the water cascades over it, you’ll witness a spectacle like no other. 

Building the dam in the early 1900s was such an intense and laborious process that an entire town was built here to house the 1000-odd workers involved in its construction. 

A specially created railway was also built to bring the enormous stones it’s made from to the valley from the Bole Hill quarries. 

But as well as being a mighty sight to behold, the Derwent Dam holds historical significance from the purpose it served during World War Two. 

The 617 Squadron used the dam to practice their low-level flying, in preparation for the Dam Busters raid against the Germans. The dam has a lot of similarity to the German dams and is now adorned with a commemorative plaque. 

The view from the top of Derwent Dam from the Alport Castles walk.
The view from the top of Derwent Dam from the Alport Castles walk. Credit: GetLostMCR
The Alport Castles route includes beautiful woodland.
The Alport Castles route includes beautiful woodland. Credit: GetLostMCR
Alport Castles in the Peak District. Credit: GetLost MCR

Occasionally, legendary planes like the Lancaster Bomber will still fly overhead to mark the work of the 617 Squadron. 

The dam stands at one end of the Derwent Reservoir and was constructed to keep up with the huge demand for water from the booming industries in Sheffield, Nottingham and Leicester.

There’s so much water in this part of the Peak District, it’s been referred to as the Lake District of the Peaks.

If you’re eager to get out for some brisk winter fresh air, our pal GetLostMCR has pulled together the most perfect walk, which takes in lakes, views, woodland, and that iconic dam.

The nine mile route is named after Alport Castles, another feature you’ll pass on your way round.

It’s not actually a castle, but rather a tumble of boulders caused by what’s said to be the largest landslip in Britain – it doesn’t take much imagination to see how this geological feature resembles a castle.

GetLostMCR’s circular route starts at Fairholmes Car Park and Visitor Centre and you’ll get to visit the best of Derwent Reservoir, Derwent Valley Woodlands, Rowlee Pasture and Alport Castles.

The good-to-knows

Car Parks

  • The route starts at Fairholmes Car Park. The car park does fill up quickly on weekends, so advice is to visit off-peak where possible.
  • Start: Fairholmes Car Park, Bamford, Hope Valley, S33 0AQ
  • Toilet facilities at Fairholmes Visitor Centre
  • Bicycle Hire – Derwent Valley is a great place to explore cycling trails

Cafes

There’s a refreshment kiosk at the car park, which is open everyday 8am until 6pm (later if there is demand), selling takeaway drinks, snacks and hot food.

Pubs

  • Ladybower Inn (7 min drive from visitor centre)
  • Yorkshire Bridge Inn (8 min drive from visitor centre)

The route

  • Distance: 9 miles
  • Duration: Approx. 3 hours
  • Elevation: 1,100 feet
  • Difficulty: Moderate, gradual ascents
  • Navigation: Follow the route step by step here

Public transport

Manchester Piccadilly > Sheffield (50 mins). From here take a bus to Fairholmes Car Park, a stop on several bus routes.

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Featured image: GetLostMCR

Travel & Tourism

The latest on Therme Manchester opening date as construction finally begins on huge wellbeing resort

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The latest on Therme Manchester opening date as construction finally begins on huge wellbeing resort

The build of Therme Manchester, which is set to be the UK’s largest wellbeing resort, is finally underway, with a loose opening date announced.

The construction phase of the massive spa project begins this month – when it completes, it will be made up of 10 pools, 15 waterslides, sustainable gardens and a diverse range of restaurants and cafes.

The entire thing will be kept at a balmy 33ºC all year round using advanced technology, with warm water lagoons, botanical gardens and palm trees giving the site a real tropical feel.

Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025 – it’s now up to £450m and is scheduled to complete for the end of 2028.

It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.

Last week, a Beyond Groundbreaking event was held at the site of the new wellbeing resort near the Trafford Centre, bringing together local leaders, partners, and community members.

There, it was announced that Therme Manchester is set to create around 2,500 direct construction jobs, as well as 650 staff positions to operate the resort when it opens.

The business has already supported initiatives across the city, including the Manchester Marathon, NHS programmes and cultural events.

The latest on Therme Manchester opening date as construction finally begins on huge wellbeing resort
The latest on Therme Manchester opening date as construction finally begins on huge wellbeing resort

Therme Manchester is setting out to have a ‘significantly lower’ carbon footprint than other spa experiences, helped along by locally-sourced materials, and innovative construction methods such as air source heat pumps and on-site 3D printing.

As well as state-of-the-art swimming and thermal bathing areas, there’ll be spa and fitness zones, immersive digital art, sustainable gardens and a diverse range of restaurants and cafes.

Professor David Russell, Therme UK CEO said: “Today marks the official beginning of a once-in-a-generation project for Manchester and the North West.

“Therme Manchester will be a place for everyone – a unique destination where wellbeing, sustainability, art and culture come together. Our vision is to make a lasting positive impact: creating jobs, supporting communities, and helping people live healthier, happier lives for years to come.”

James Whittaker, Managing Director of Peel Waters said: “We’re thrilled to have reached this pivotal moment as work begins on site at Therme Manchester.

The site of Therme Manchester in Trafford
The site of Therme Manchester in Trafford

“It marks the culmination of years of close collaboration between Peel Waters and Therme Group, an extraordinary partnership built on shared values and wanting to deliver the very best for our community.

“From our very first meeting, we knew Therme’s vision would be transformational, and together we’ve worked tirelessly to get to this moment and start the build of this world-class wellness destination in TraffordCity.

“Therme Manchester will be a true gamechanger not just for TraffordCity, but for Greater Manchester and the North. It will regenerate a key site, create thousands of jobs, and deliver a landmark experience that promotes health, happiness, and connection.

“We’re very proud to be part of a project that will completely redefine leisure and wellbeing in the UK and Europe.”

An aerial view of how Therme Manchester will look
An aerial view of how Therme Manchester will look

Neil Martin, Chief Executive at Sir Robert McAlpine, said: “We are proud to be Construction Manager for Therme Manchester, a project that aligns with our commitment to sustainability, technical excellence and making a meaningful difference to communities.

“We look forward to delivering this world-class destination that will transform wellbeing and benefit TraffordCity and the wider region for generations to come.”

A spokesperson from Trafford Council said: “The Therme project is fantastic news for Trafford, and I am delighted that construction work has started on this one-in-a-lifetime scheme. The resort will attract millions of visitors each year and will provide hundreds of construction jobs and full-time jobs for the borough.

“Therme Manchester is a fantastic, visionary development and it supports several of our key commitments – helping provide a thriving economy, improving health and wellbeing and regenerating a vacant brownfield site in a sustainable location.”

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Featured image: Supplied

Travel & Tourism

Shocking new study reveals that almost 100 people a day are caught drink-driving

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Nearly 100 drivers a day in Britain have had ‘drink-drive endorsements’ added to their licences in the past three years, a shocking new study has revealed.

Alarmingly, it’s people between the ages of 25 and 39 that are the most frequently penalised for drink-driving – with around 48,000 drivers in this age bracket being handed endorsements, followed closely by 40,000 drivers aged 40 to 65.

In contrast, only 15,000 drivers aged 17 to 24 were penalised, and a mere 3,000 over-65s received points on their licence between 2022 and 2024.

It’s all according to a study by road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, using data obtained from the DVLA via a Freedom of Information request.

A shocking new study has revealed that almost 100 people a day are caught drink-driving / Credit: Pexels

Drivers caught over the alcohol limit face automatic licence revocation, potential imprisonment, and unlimited fines, while the endorsement remains on a driving licence for 11 years.

Another shocking revelation from the study is that fatalities linked to drink-driving have climbed over the past decade, peaking in 2022 at the highest level in 13 years – with the RAC saying this trend ‘raises alarms’ about the effectiveness of current road safety measures.

RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis called it ‘completely unacceptable’.

“These disturbing figures show the twin evils of driving under the influence of drink and drugs are behind a frightening number of lives lost on the UK’s roads every year,” he commented.

A third of Brits want police to immediately ban drink drivers at the roadside / Credit – Vladimir Proskurovskiy (via Unsplash)

“A new approach to tackling these repugnant crimes is desperately needed. We hope this will be a key part of the Government’s forthcoming road safety strategy, [as] we’ve consistently been calling for a change in approach when it comes to reducing alcohol-related road deaths, as it’s clear the status quo isn’t working.”

The RAC has been campaigning for courts being given the powers to mandate the fitting of alcohol interlocks (‘alcolocks’) to offenders’ vehicles to prevent them driving drunk again.

It is also ‘supportive’ of the police being given the powers to immediately disqualify any driver who fails a drink or drugs test at the roadside.

Read more:

“This has the potential to reduce drink-drive casualties, especially among habitual offenders,” Rod concluded. 

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

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